Transmission

ABSTRACT

These two-speed accessory drive transmissions have spring-loaded centrifugal weights and a planetary friction unit including inner and outer ring members and intermediate ball planets. In one embodiment, the centrifugal weights are urged into frictional drive contact with the planetary carrier during low engine speeds for driving various engine accessories operatively connected to the outer ring member in overdrive. A one-way clutch is located between and connects the input pulley hub and the outer ring member upon disengagement of the centrifugal weights from the carrier under the action of centrifugal force. In an alternate embodiment, the inner ring member is connected to drive accessories, and the outer ring member is the reaction member. The centrifugal weights are remotely connected to drive the carrier via a connector member extending past the outer ring member of the planetary unit.

United States Patent Hewko et al.

Nov. 7, 1972 [54] TRANSMISSION 3,461,746 8/1969 Schwerdhofer ..74/752 E[72] Inventors: Lubomyr 0. Hewko, Port Clinton; P E C J H Richard K.Kepple, Huron, both of "mary xammer usar Ohio Att0rney--Warren E. Fmkenet al.

[73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation, [57] ABSTRACT Mlch' Thesetwo-speed accessory drive transmissions have [22] Filed: July 14, 1971spring-loaded centrifugal weights and a planetary friction unitincluding inner and outer ring members and l [21] 162593 intermediateball planets. In one embodiment, the

centrifugal weights are urged into frictional drive con- [52] U.S.Cl...74/752E tact wi h the planetary carrier during low engine 51] Int. Cl..Fl6h 5/42 speeds for driving various engine accessories} p [58] Fieldof Search ..74/752 E tlvely connected to'the Outer rmg member 111Overdrive. A one-way clutch is located between and con- [5 Ref Citednects the input pulley hub and the outer ring member upon disengagementof the centrifugal weights from UNITED STATES PATENTS the carrier underthe action of centrifugal force. In an alternate embodiment, the innerring member is cong zg nected to drive accessories, I and the outer ring2022058 11/1935 S g "74/752 E member is the reaction member. Thecentrifugal 2382088 8/1945 i g 4 752 E weights are remotely connected todrive the carrier 2593804 4/1952 52 2? A1752 E via a connector memberextending past the outer ring I I s r u e I n b r l t 't'. 3,048,0568/1962 Wolfram ..74/752 E mem er 0 e p my um 3,254,545 6/1966 Witte etal ..74/752 E 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 62 70 64 4% 7 4 O O I r t Iref/N v .I' t '1 a 16 .11 52 20 I l-g 4 9 ll lllllm" TRANSMISSION Thisinvention relates generally to transmissions and, more particularly, totwo-speed transmissions.

This invention provides an improved transmission for driving engineaccessories at two different speed ratios with respect to engine speed.For example, it may be desirable to overdrive an engine accessory, suchas an engine cooling fan and/or water pump impeller, or otheraccessories, at low engine speeds, and then, at a predetermined higherengine speed, to drive the accessory at a 1:1 speed ratio therewith.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide improved means foroperating various engine accessories at two different speed ratios withrespect to the engine speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved coordinatedfriction and centrifugal types of speed-changing arrangementscooperating with a oneway clutch for providing an overdrive at lowengine speeds and automatically reducing the speed ratio to 1:1 atpredetermined higher engine speeds.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved ballplanetary friction device for controlling output speed at low enginespeeds, and cooperating centrifugally actuated means for rendering theball planetary friction device ineffective at predetermined higherengine speeds. 1

A still further object of the invention is to .incorpo rate a one-wayclutch which becomes operative upon the disengaging action ofcentrifugal weight members for driving a transmission output at the samespeed as the input from the engine at all speeds above a predeterminedengine speed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved ballplanetary friction device and cooperating spring-loaded speed-responsivemeans for varying the output speed relative to the input speed at lowengine speeds, and a one-way clutch arrangement for effectuating directdrive once the speed-responsive means releases its connection with theplanetary device at a predetermined higher engine speed.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent when reference is made to the following description andaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an accessory drivemechanism embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the plane ofline 2-2 of FIG. 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an accessory drivemechanism illustrating a modification of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the plane ofline 4--4 of FIG. 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 1 EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in greater detail,FIG. 1 illustrates a two-speed accessory drive mechanism including acentral shaft 12 suitable for connection with predetermined engineaccessories, such as a water pump impeller 14 mounted on one end thereofand a cooling fan 16 and an associated flange member 18 mounted on theother end thereof. The fan 16 is secured to the flange member 18 bybolts 20, while the flange member 18, in turn, is secured by anysuitable means to the central shaft 12.

A planetary friction drive unit 22 is mounted on sealed bearings 24around the central shaft 12, intermediate the water pump impeller 14 andthe flange member 18. The planetary unit 22 includes inner and outerring members 26 and 28, respectively, with a plurality of spaced ballmembers 30 mounted intermediate thereof so as to frictionally contactboth the respective inner and'outer ring members 26 and 28. Oppositelydisposed contoured annular surfaces 31 may be formed in the inner andouter ring members 26 and 28 to guide the ball members 30 in theircircumferential travel. A carrier member 32 is mounted around asleeve-like extension 34 formed on the inner ring member 26 and includesfingers 36 extending between the ball members 30 and serving as a meansfor separating the driving same. An external flange 38 is formed on thesleevelike extension 34 and includes openings 40 formed therein suitablefor insertion of bolts 42 serving to secure the flange 38, thesleeve-like extension 34 and the inner ring member 26 to a fixedabutment or the front of the engine, represented generally as 44.

A centrifugal clutch 45 includes a plurality of weight members 46 witharcuate-shaped bottom surfaces 48 (FIG. 2) formed thereon. The weightmembers 46 are mounted around the carrier member 32 and urged bysuitable resilient members, such as coil springs 49, into contact withmating annular surfaces 50 formed on the outer periphery of the carriermember 32. The springs 49 are retained at their radially outer ends byretainers 51 formed on mounting abutments 52 secured to the hub 54 of aninput pulley 56. Suitable seals 57 are mounted between the carrier 32andthe outer ring member 28 and between the carrier 32 and the flange38. A one-way clutch' 58 is mounted intermediate the outer ring member28 and the pulley hub 54. A suitable belt 60 is mounted in the inputpulley 56, the belt 60 being operatively connected to the enginecrankshaft (not shown).

If desired, additional pulley grooves 62 and 64 may be formed on anextension member 66 secured, along with the fan 16, to the associatedflange member 18 by the bolts 20. Such additional pulley grooves 62 and64 may serve to accommodate belts 68 and 70, respectively, for drivingadditional engine accessories, such as an alternator and anair-conditioner compressor (not shown).

OPERATION At low engine speeds, the input drive pulley 56, driven by thebelt 60, rotates the retainer abutments 52, the springs 49 and theassociated centrifugal weight members 46. Since the springs 49 urge thebottom surfaces 48 of the weight members 46 into frictional engagementwith the annular mating surfaces 50 of the carrier member 32, thelatter, along with the associated ball members 30, will also be drivenat input speed. The ball members 30 will rotate around the fixed innerring member 26 and cause the rotation of the outer ring member 28 at anincreased speed with respect to the speed of the input pulley 56 andhence serve to overdrive the cooling fan 16, the flange member 18, thecentral shaft 12 and the water pump impeller 14, the one-way clutch 58being overdriven at the time.

At a predetermined higher engine speed, the centrifugal weight members46 will be urged radially outwardly under the action of centrifugalforce, overcoming the force of the springs 49 and progressively slippingand then releasing their frictional grip on the member 28, thus rotatingthe fan 16, the central shaft 12, and the water pump impeller 14 atengine speed.

FIGURE 3 EMBODIMENT and an output flange member 116 formed on theotherend thereof. A cooling fan 118 and a drive member 120 are securedto the output flange member 116 by bolts 122. Pulley grooves 124 and 126are formed on the outer periphery of the drive member 120 suitable formounting therein of belts 128 and 130 for driving other engineaccessories, such as an alternator and air-conditioner compressor (notshown). 7 I g A planetary friction drive unit 132 is mounted around thecentral shaft 112 intermediate the output flange member 116and thewaterpump impeller 114. An inner ring member 134 of the planetary unit132 in- 'cludes a sleeve-like hub 158 which is secured directly to thecentral shaft 112. An outer ring member 136 is secured to a suitablefixedabutment or housing 138, such as the water pump housing, the latterbeing mounted on bearings 139 on the central shaft 112 and havinga seal140 mounted adjacent the bearings 139. An external flange 141 is formedon the housing 138 and includes openings 142 formed therein suitable forthe mounting of boltsl44 to secure the housing 138 to the front of theengine, represented generally as 146. A plurality of ball members 148are mounted in oppositely disposed contoured annular surfaces 150 formedin the inner and outer ring members 134 and 136, respectively. Acarriermember 152 has fingers 154 extending axially therefrom betweenadjacent ball members 148 to separate and drive same.

A one-way clutch 156 is mounted around the sleeve member 158 formed onthe inner ring member 134, the sleeve member 158 being secured by anysuitable means to the central shaft 112. A hub member 160 is mountedaround the one-way clutch 156,'there being an input drive member 162secured to the hub member 160, with the drive member 162 having an inputpulley groove 164 formed on the outer periphery thereof. A suitable belt166 is mounted in the input pulley 164 and operatively connected to theengine crankshaft (not shown).

A connector member 168 is mounted at a radial inner cylindrical portion170 thereof on bearings 172 periphery of a radial outer cylindricalportion 178 of the connector member 168. The springs 176 are operativebetween the centrifugal weight members 174 and the input drive member162, being mounted around projections 180 formed on the input drivemember 162. The carrier 152 is secured to the inner cylindrical portion170 of the connector member 168. Seals 182,

184, 186, and 188 are mounted between the central shaft 112, and the hubmember 160, the connector member 168 between the connectormember 168 andthe outer ring member 136 and between the outer ring around the hubmember 160. A centrifugal clutch 173 member 136 and the housing 138,respectively.

OPERATION Duringlow engine speeds, the drive belt 166, the drive pulleyl64and the associated drive member 162, serve to rotate the centrifugalweight members 174 which, in turn, being urged by the springs 176 intofrictional engagement with the annular surface 177 formed on the outercylindrical portion 178 'oftheconnector member 168, cause the rotationof the carrier member 152. The carrier member152, in turn, causes theball members 148 to walk around the contoured annular surfaces 150, ofthe fixed outer ring member 136, thereby rotating the inner ring member134, the central shaft 112, and the associated engine accessories at anincreased speed with respect to the speed of the input pulley 164.

Once a predetermined higher'engine speed is attained, the centrifugalweight members 174 will be urged radially outwardly under the action ofcentrifugal force, overcoming the force of the springs 176 and releasingtheir frictional-grip on the annular surface 177 of the outercylindrical portion 178 of the connector member 168. As a result, thecarrier member 152, ball members 148, and the inner ring member 134 willbegin to lose. speed until such time as the one-way clutch 156 becomesengaged between the inner ring sleeve member 158 on theshaft 112 and thehub member driven by the input pulley 164. The input pulley 164 and the.drive member 162 thereafter, through the one-way clutch 156, drive thecentral shaft 112 and the associated engine accessories at input speed.

It should be apparent that the invention provides an improved planetaryfriction drive coordinated with centrifugal weights which frictionallycontact the carrier thereof at low engine speeds to vary the speed ofone or several engine accessories relative to input speed, with acooperating one-way clutch for direct drive of the accessories once thecentrifugal weights release their frictional grip on the carrier.

While but two embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, other modifications thereof are possible.

We claim:

1. A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary driveunit including a first member mounted for rotation with said outputmeans, a reaction member, intermediate traction members frictionallycontacting said first and reaction members, and a carrier member fordriving said traction members; centrifugally actuated means foroperatively connecting said carrier member to said input means,resilient means operatively connected to said input means for urgingsaid centrifugally actuated means into operational engagement with saidcarrier member at all input speeds below a predetermined value; andone-way clutch means operatively connected between one of said first andreaction members and one of said input and output means, said one-wayclutch means serving to operatively connect said input means to saidoutput means for direct drive of said output means upon radial outwardreleasing movement of said centrifugally actuated means from saidcarrier member at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

2. A transmission comprising an input pulley and an output shaft; aplanetary drive unit including a first member mounted for rotation withsaid output shaft, a

' fixed second member, intermediate traction members frictionallycontacting said first and second members, and a carrier member fordriving said traction members; centrifugally actuated means foroperatively connecting said carrier member to said input pulley;resilient means mounted on said input pulley for urging saidcentrifugally actuated means into frictional engagement with saidcarrier member at all input speeds below a predetermined value; andone-way clutch means operatively connected between one of said first andsecond members and said input pulley, said oneway clutch meansserving tooperatively connect said input pulley to said first member for directdrive of said output shaft upon radial outward releasing movement ofsaid centrifugally actuated means from said carrier member at all inputspeeds above a predetermined value.

3. A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary driveunit including an outer ring member secured to said output means, afixed inner ring member, intermediate ball planets frictionally con-.tacting said inner and outer ring members, and a carrier member fordriving said ball planets; centrifugal weight members mounted adjacentsaid carrier member; resilient means retained at one end thereof by saidinput means for urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardlyinto rotational engagement with said carrier member at all input speedsbelow a predetermined value; and a one-way clutch operatively connectedbetween said input means and said outer ring member for driving saidouter ring member and said output means directly upon radial outwardreleasing movement of said centrifugal weight members from said carriermember at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

4. A transmission comprising an input pulley means and a central outputshaft; a planetary drive unit including a fixed inner ring member, anouter ring member, a flange member interconnecting said outer ringmember and said central output shaft, intermediate ba ll planet pinionsfrictionally contacting said inner and outer ring members, and a carriermember for driving said ball planet pinions; means for operativelyconnecting said carrier member to said input pulley means includingretainer means connected to said input pulley means, centrifugal weightmembers mounted adjacent said carrier member, and resilient meansmounted between said retainer means and said centrifugal weight membersfor urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardly intofractional engagement with said carrier member at all input speeds belowa predetermined value; and a one-way clutch rotatably mounted betweensaid input pulley means and said outer ring member, said one-way clutchserving to operatively interconnect said input pulley means, said outerring member, said flange member and said central output shaft in directdrive relationship upon radial outward releasing movement of saidcentrifugal weight members from said carrier member at all input speedsabove a predetermined value.

5. A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary driveunit including an inner ring member secured to said output means, afixed outer ring member, intermediate ball planets frictionallycontacting said inner and outer ring members, and a carrier member fordriving said ball planets; a connector member secured to said carriermember and extending therefrom: centrifugal vweight membersmountedadjacent said connector member; resilient means retained at oneend thereof by said input means for urging said centrifugal weightmembers radially inwardly into rotational engagement with said connectormember at all input speeds below a predetermined value; and a onewayclutch operatively connected between said input means and said innerring member for driving said inner ring member and said outputmeansdirectly upon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugalweight members from said connector member at all input speeds above apredetermined value.

6. A transmission comprising an input pulley means and a central outputshaft; a planetary drive unit including a fixed outer ring member, aninner ring member, a sleeve member interconnecting said inner ringmember and said central output shaft, intermediate ball planet pinionsfractionally contacting said inner and outer ring members, and a carriermember for driving said ball planet pinions; means for operativelyconnecting said carrier member to said input pulley means including aconnector member connected to said carrier member, centrifugal weightmembers mounted adjacent said connector member, and resilient meansmounted between said input pulley means and said centrifugal weightmembers for urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardlyinto frictional engagement with said connector member to drive saidcarrier member at all input speeds below a predetermined value; and aone-way clutch rotatably mounted between said input pulley means andsaid sleeve member, said one-way clutch serving to operativelyinterconnect said input pulley means, said inner ring member, saidsleeve member and said central output shaft in direct drive relationshipupon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugal weightmembers from said connector member at all input speeds above apredetermined value.

7. A transmission comprising an input pulley means and a central outputshaft; a planetary drive unit including a fixed inner ring member, anouter ring member, a flange member interconnecting said outer ringmember and said central output shaft, intermediate ball planet pinionsfractionally contacting said inner and outer ring members, and a carriermember for driving said ball planet pinions; means for operativelyconnecting said carrier member to said input pulley means includingretainer means connected to saidinput pulley means, centrifugal weightmembers mounted adjacent said carrier member and resilient meansmountedbetween said retainer means andsaid centrifugal weight members forurging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardly into frictionalengagement with said carrier member at all input speeds below apredetermined value; and a one-way clutch rotatably mounted between saidinput pulley means and said outer ring member, said one-way clutchserving to operatively interconnect said input pulley means, and outerring member, said flange member and said central output shaft in directdrive relationship upon radial outward releasing movement of saidcentrifugal weight members from said carrier member at all input speedsabove a predetermined value.

8. A transmission comprising an input pulley means and a central outputshaft; aplanetary drive unit including a fixed outer ring member, aninner ring member, a sleeve member interconnecting said inner ringmember and said central output shaft, intermediate ball planet pinionsfractionally contacting said inner and outer ring members, and a carriermember for driving said ball planet pinions; means for operativelyconnecting said carrier member to said input pulley means including aconnector member connected to said carrier member, centrifugal weightmembers mounted adjacent said connector member, and resilient means.mounted between said input pulley means and said centrifugal weightmembers for urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardlyinto fractional engagement with said connector member to drive saidcarrier member at all input speeds below a predetermined value; and aone-way clutch rotatably mounted between said input pulley means andsaid sleeve member, said one-way clutch serving to operativelyinterconnect said input pulley means, said inner ring member, saidsleeve member and said central output shaft in direct drive relationshipupon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugal weightmembers from said connector member at all input speeds above apredetermined value.

9. A transmission comprising an input pulley and an output shaft; a hubformed on said input pulley; a planetary drive unit including a fixedinner ring member, an outer ring member, a radially inwardly extendingflange member secured to said outer ring member, splines formed on saidflange member and on said output shaft for interconnecting said outerring member and said output shaft, intermediate ball planet pinionsfrictionally contacting said inner and outer ring members, andan'annular carrier member having fingers extending axially therefromintermediate adjacent ball planet pinions for driving said ball planetpinions; means for operatively connecting said carrier member to saidinput pulley including an annular ring formed on a side of said inputpulley, a plurality of spaced retainer members formed on theinnersurface of said annular ring, arcuate-shaped centrifugal weightmembers mounted adjacent said carrier member, a retainer pocket formedin the radially outer surface of each of said weight members, saidpockets being radially aligned with said retainer members, a springmounted in each of said pockets and around each radially alignedretainer member for urging said centrifugal weight members radiallyinwardly into frictional engagement with said annularcarrier member atall input speeds below a predetermined value; and a one-way innerplanetary ring member, an annular hub member a formed on said inner ringmember and secured to said output shaft, a one-way clutch mounted aroundsaid annular hub member, an input ring member formed on said inputpulley, an inwardly extending flange formed on said input ring member, ahub member formed on said flange and mounted around said one-way clutch,bearings mounted around said hub member of said flange, an annularconnector member having an outer ring mounted within saidinput ringmember and a hub ring mounted on said bearings, ball planet pinionsfrictionally contacting said inner and outer ring members, a carriermember secured to said hub ring of said connector member for drivingsaid ball planet pinions, a plurality of retainers formed on theradially inner surface of said input ring member, a plurality ofarcuateshaped centrifugal weight members mounted intermediate said outerring of said connector member and said inner surface of said input ringmember, a pocket formed in the radially outer surface of each of saidweight members, a spring mounted in each of said pockets and around eachof said retainers on said input ring member for urging said centrifugalweight members radially inwardly into frictional engagement with saidouter ring of said connector member to drive said carrier member at allinput speeds below a predetermined value, said one-way clutch serving tooperatively interconnect said input pulley, said inner ring member, andsaid output shaft in direct drive relationship upon radial outwardreleasing movement of said centrifugal weight members from said outerring of said connector member against the force of said springs at allinput speeds above a predetermined value.

1. A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary driveunit including a first member mounted for rotation with said outputmeans, a reaction member, intermediate traction members frictionallycontacting said first and reaction members, and a carrier member fordriving said traction members; centrifugally actuated means foroperatively connecting said carrier member to said input means;resilient means operatively connected to said input means for urgingsaid centrifugally actuated means into operational engagement with saidcarrier member at all input speeds below a predetermined value; andoneway clutch means operatively connected between one of said first andreaction members and one of said input and output means, said one-wayclutch means serving to operatively connect said input means to saidoutput means for direct drive of said output means upon radial outwardreleasing movement of said centrifugally actuated means from saidcarrier member at all input speeds above a predetermined value.
 2. Atransmission comprising an input pulley and an output shaft; a planetarydrive unit including a first member mounted for rotation with saidoutput shaft, a fixed second member, intermediate traction membersfrictionally contacting said first and second members, and a carriermember for driving said traction members; centrifugally actuated meansfor operatively connecting said carrier member to said input pulley;resilient means mounted on said input pulley for urging saidcentrifugally actuated means into frictional engagement with saidcarrier member at all input speeds below a predetermined value; andone-way clutch means operatively connected between one of said first andsecond members and said input pulley, said one-way clutch means servingto operatively connect said input pulley to said first member for directdrive of said output shaft upon radial outward releasing movement ofsaid centrifugally actuated means from said carrier member at all inputspeeds above a predetermined value.
 3. A transmission comprising inputand output means; a planetary drive unit including an outer ring membersecured to said output means, a fixed inner ring member, intermediateball planets frictionally contacting said inner and outer ring members,and a carrier member for driving said ball planets; centrifugal weightmembers mounted adjacent said carrier member; resilient means retainedat one end thereof by said input means for urging said centrifugalweight members radially inwardly into rotational engagement with saidcarrier member at all input speeds below a predetermined value; and aone-way clutch operatively connected between said input means and saidouter ring member for driving said outer ring member and said outputmeans directly upon radial outward releasing movement of saidcentrifugal weight members from said carrier member at all input speedsabove a predetermined value.
 4. A transmission comprising an inputpulley means and a central output shaft; a planetary drive unitincluding a fixed inner ring member, an outer ring member, a flangemember interconnecting said outer ring member and said central outputshaft, intermediate ball planet pinions frictionally contacting saidinner and outer ring members, and a carrier member for driving said ballplanet pinions; means for operatively connecting said carrier member tosaid input pulley means including retainer means connected to said inputpulley means, centrifugal weight members mounted adjacent said carriermember, and resilient means mounted between said retainer means and saidcentrifugal weight members for urging said centrifugal weight membersradially inwardly into fractional engagement with said carrier member atall input speeds below a predetermined value; and a one-way clutchrotatably mounted between said input pulley means and said outer ringmember, said one-way clutch serving to operatively interconnect saidinput pulley means, said outer ring member, said flange member and saidcentral output shaft in direct drive relationship upon radial outwardreleasing movement of said centrifugal weight members from said carriermember at all input speeds above a predetermined value.
 5. Atransmission comprising input and output means; a planetary drive unitincluding an inner ring member secured to said output means, a fixedouter ring member, intermediate ball planets frictionally contactingsaid inner and outer ring members, and a carrier member for driving saidball planets; a connector member secured to said carrier member andextending therefrom: centrifugal weight members mounted adjacent saidconnector member; resilient means retained at one end thereof by saidinput means for urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardlyinto rotational engagement with said connector member at all inputspeeds below a predetermined value; and a one-way clutch operativelyconnected between said input means and said inner ring member fordriving said inner ring member and said output means directly uponradial outward releasing movement of said centrifugal weight membersfrom said connector member at all input speeds above a predeterminedvalue.
 6. A transmission comprising an input pulley means and a centraloutput shaft; a planetary drive unit including a fixed outer ringmember, an inner ring member, a sleeve member interconnecting said innerring member and said central output shaft, intermediate ball planetpinions fractionally contacting said inner and outer ring members, and acarrier member for driving said ball planet pinions; means foroperatively connecting said carrier member to said input pulley meansincluding a connector member connected to said carrier member,centrifugal weight members mounted adjacent said connector member, andresilient means mounted between said input pulley means and saidcentrifugal weight members for urging said centrifugal weight membersradially inwardly into frictional engagement with said connector memberto drive said carrier member at all input speeds below a predeterminedvalue; and a one-way clutch rotatably mounted betweEn said input pulleymeans and said sleeve member, said one-way clutch serving to operativelyinterconnect said input pulley means, said inner ring member, saidsleeve member and said central output shaft in direct drive relationshipupon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugal weightmembers from said connector member at all input speeds above apredetermined value.
 7. A transmission comprising an input pulley meansand a central output shaft; a planetary drive unit including a fixedinner ring member, an outer ring member, a flange member interconnectingsaid outer ring member and said central output shaft, intermediate ballplanet pinions fractionally contacting said inner and outer ringmembers, and a carrier member for driving said ball planet pinions;means for operatively connecting said carrier member to said inputpulley means including retainer means connected to said input pulleymeans, centrifugal weight members mounted adjacent said carrier memberand resilient means mounted between said retainer means and saidcentrifugal weight members for urging said centrifugal weight membersradially inwardly into frictional engagement with said carrier member atall input speeds below a predetermined value; and a one-way clutchrotatably mounted between said input pulley means and said outer ringmember, said one-way clutch serving to operatively interconnect saidinput pulley means, and outer ring member, said flange member and saidcentral output shaft in direct drive relationship upon radial outwardreleasing movement of said centrifugal weight members from said carriermember at all input speeds above a predetermined value.
 8. Atransmission comprising an input pulley means and a central outputshaft; a planetary drive unit including a fixed outer ring member, aninner ring member, a sleeve member interconnecting said inner ringmember and said central output shaft, intermediate ball planet pinionsfractionally contacting said inner and outer ring members, and a carriermember for driving said ball planet pinions; means for operativelyconnecting said carrier member to said input pulley means including aconnector member connected to said carrier member, centrifugal weightmembers mounted adjacent said connector member, and resilient meansmounted between said input pulley means and said centrifugal weightmembers for urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardlyinto fractional engagement with said connector member to drive saidcarrier member at all input speeds below a predetermined value; and aone-way clutch rotatably mounted between said input pulley means andsaid sleeve member, said one-way clutch serving to operativelyinterconnect said input pulley means, said inner ring member, saidsleeve member and said central output shaft in direct drive relationshipupon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugal weightmembers from said connector member at all input speeds above apredetermined value.
 9. A transmission comprising an input pulley and anoutput shaft; a hub formed on said input pulley; a planetary drive unitincluding a fixed inner ring member, an outer ring member, a radiallyinwardly extending flange member secured to said outer ring member,splines formed on said flange member and on said output shaft forinterconnecting said outer ring member and said output shaft,intermediate ball planet pinions frictionally contacting said inner andouter ring members, and an annular carrier member having fingersextending axially therefrom intermediate adjacent ball planet pinionsfor driving said ball planet pinions; means for operatively connectingsaid carrier member to said input pulley including an annular ringformed on a side of said input pulley, a plurality of spaced retainermembers formed on the inner surface of said annular ring, arcuate-shapedcentrifugal weight members mounted adjacent said carrier member, aretainer pocket formed in the radially outer surface of each of saidweight members, said pockets Being radially aligned with said retainermembers, a spring mounted in each of said pockets and around eachradially aligned retainer member for urging said centrifugal weightmembers radially inwardly into frictional engagement with said annularcarrier member at all input speeds below a predetermined value; and aone-way clutch rotatably mounted between said hub of said input pulleyand said outer ring member, said one-way clutch serving to operativelyinterconnect said input pulley, said outer ring member, said flangemember and said output shaft in direct drive relationship upon radialoutward movement of said centrifugal weight members from said carriermember against the force of said springs at all inputs speeds above apredetermined value.
 10. A transmission comprising an input pulley andan output shaft, a fixed outer planetary ring member, an inner planetaryring member, an annular hub member formed on said inner ring member andsecured to said output shaft, a one-way clutch mounted around saidannular hub member, an input ring member formed on said input pulley, aninwardly extending flange formed on said input ring member, a hub memberformed on said flange and mounted around said one-way clutch, bearingsmounted around said hub member of said flange, an annular connectormember having an outer ring mounted within said input ring member and ahub ring mounted on said bearings, ball planet pinions frictionallycontacting said inner and outer ring members, a carrier member securedto said hub ring of said connector member for driving said ball planetpinions, a plurality of retainers formed on the radially inner surfaceof said input ring member, a plurality of arcuate-shaped centrifugalweight members mounted intermediate said outer ring of said connectormember and said inner surface of said input ring member, a pocket formedin the radially outer surface of each of said weight members, a springmounted in each of said pockets and around each of said retainers onsaid input ring member for urging said centrifugal weight membersradially inwardly into frictional engagement with said outer ring ofsaid connector member to drive said carrier member at all input speedsbelow a predetermined value, said one-way clutch serving to operativelyinterconnect said input pulley, said inner ring member, and said outputshaft in direct drive relationship upon radial outward releasingmovement of said centrifugal weight members from said outer ring of saidconnector member against the force of said springs at all input speedsabove a predetermined value.